Fireproofing solution.



UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE ENNIS FERGUSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO PYRENE MANUFAC-TUBING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

FIREPROOFING SOLUTION.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. FERGUSON, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Fireproofin Solutions, of which the followingis a speci cation.

This invention relates to a fire proofing solution, the object being toprovide a solution with which fibrous material or fabric may beimpregnated to render the same noninflammable.

Such solutions have been used before my invention, but, so far as I amaware, the fire proofing substance in the solution is soluble in water.

The particular object and nature of this invention is to provide a fireproofing solution in which the fire retarding substance, or substances,are insoluble in water, thus rendering the fabric treatedwith the same,permanently fire proof.

To accomplish this result, I employ a solvent containing a volatilesubstance and in which fire proofing substances are dissolved, whichsubstances are insoluble in water, and the solvent containing thedissolved substances being readily absorbed by the fabric. At the sametime it is desirable to use materials which will do no damage to thefabric when absorbed.

Certain compounds which are insoluble .in water are readily soluble inammonium hydroxid. For example, copper phosphate, copper oxalate,cuprons chlorid, copper hydroxid, zinc phosphate, zinc oxid, zinchydroxid, etc.

Emaples of solvents suitable for this purpose are ammonium hydroxid,alcohols, benzin, ether, chloroform, carbon tetra chlorid or thevolatile chlorinated hydrocarbons, etc. Of these solvents, the mostdesirable, from the standpoint of cost and capability to dissolvecertain water insoluble salts, is ammonium hydroxid, consequently, thiswill be used as an example for explaining the action of the fireproofing solution. If, for example, zinc phosphate is dissolved inammonium hydroxid, the quantity being determined by the use to whichthefabric is to be put, a clear transparentlsolution is formed, which isreadily absorbed by the fabric.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

Application filed September 30, 1915. Serial No. 53,309.

It was also found to be advantageous when forming the above solution, todissolve a small quantity of zinc chlorid therein. The zinc chlorid isfirst precipitated as zinc hydroxid, which is soluble in an excess ofthe ammonium hydroxid. Fabrics submerged in this liquid will absorb thesolution and when exposed to the air, particularly Warm air, theammonium hydroxid, is volatilized off and the water insoluble salts,zinc phosphate and zinc hydroxid, are left in the fabric. As these saltsare insoluble in water, immersion of the fabric in water will fail todislodge them, and the fabric thus treated will not burn, even if heldin the flame of the Bunsen burner. It will carbonize but not burn.

A further advantage obtained in using ammonium hydroxid for the solvent,is that it will saponify or dissolve any oil or grease in the fabric.and after the fabric is impregnated with the salts, it will have waterrepellent properties, thus rendering the f'zlbric fire and water proof.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting my invention to the specificsubstances herein set out as illustrative of the types of substanceswhich may be employed, or to the specific fluids which may be used, asit is undoubtedly possible to substitute other ingredients withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A fire proofing solution comprising a solvent containing a volatilesubstance, and phosphate of zinc and hydrate of zinc dissolved therein.

2. A fire proofing solution comprising ammonium hydroxid with zincphosphate and zinc chlorid dissolved therein, the zinc chlorid beingprecipitated as zinc hydroxid and then dissolved in the ammoniumhydroxid.

In testimony whereof, I, the said GEORGE E. FERGI'SON, have signed myname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses,this 24" day of Sept. 1915.

GEORGE ENNIS FERGUSON.

Witnesses:

LEwIs J. DooLrrTLE, THEODORE B. T. Mans.

